Spiny Turtle

Heosemys spinosa

The Spiny Turtle, also known as the Sunburst Turtle, is a land-dwelling Turtle named for the pointed spikes that extend outward from the rim of their carapace. These spines are much more pronounced in juveniles, and as adults they are most noticeable on the rear of the shell.

Spiny Turtles live in the hilly rainforests of Southeast Asia. They live relatively close to bodies of water, and feed mainly on plants and fruits. Interestingly, we know next to nothing about their wild breeding habits. In captivity it appears that breeding is triggered by the rainy season, and that the females will lay only two or three eggs per clutch. But we don't know the exact nuances of their reproductive process when left in a wild habitat.

Sadly, the Spiny Turtles are listed as endangered. They have been hunted extensively for their meat, and currently their populations are very small and are typically isolated from one another. Very little is being done to conserve the species. Unfortunately, they are also very difficult to breed in captivity.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : Southeast Asia
Size : Body length around 10in (24cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Sauropsida -- Order : Testudines
Family : Geoemydidae -- Genus : Heosemys -- Species : H. spinosa

Image : Ecology Asia

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Kinder Goat

Kinder Goat

The Kinder Goat is actually a very new breed that has only existed for a few decades. It was created in 1985 when two Nubian Goat does were left without a mate on their farm in Washington State. The farm owners allowed their Pygmy Goat Buck to do the breeding instead, and not long after the first Kinder Goats were born.

This breed is dual purpose-- they can be raised for their milk or their meat, and are ideal for very small farms. They produce large amounts of milk with a high (7%) butterfat percentage, and tend to be more muscular than the dairy-specific Nubian goats. Size-wise, they are right between their two ancestors. They can reach 150lbs, and stand about 2.5ft tall.

Kinder Goats come in many different colors, and have the luxury of being able to breed year-round. They are also known for their multiple births-- triplets and quadruplets are actually very common to the breed.

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Status : Status
Location : United States
Size : Shoulder height up to 28in (71cm), Weight up to 150lbs (68kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Capra -- Species : C. aegagrus -- Subspecies : C. a. hircus

Image : Herr Beethoven

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Chinese Hwamei

Garrulax canorus

The word "Hwamei" derives from the Chinese "hua-mei," which translates to "Painted Eyebrow." Looking at this bird, you can tell that that is a very accurate name! These birds have reddish-brown feathers covering their bodies... except around their eyes. There, they have a white ring that circles that eye and then extends backwards as a line.

The Chinese Hwamei live in many different countries, not just China. They are also found in Laos and Vietnam, and have been introduced to Japan, Taiwan, and even far-away Hawaii. They live in open woodlands and scrublands.

You may stumble across one of these birds as they forage on the ground for fruits and insects. (Though keep in mind that they can be difficult to spot!) They tend to live in small groups or pairs.

At present, the Chinese Hwamei has a very large range and is common throughout it. They are listed as Least Concern for now, but it appears that the population is declining (albeit very slowly).

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : East Asia, Hawaii
Size : Body length up to 10in (25cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Timaliidae -- Genus : Garrulax -- Species : G. canorus

Image : Zep

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Koa Bug

Coleotichus blackburniae

The Koa Bug is the largest species of true bug that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They can be found on all of the main islands of the chain, living in Koa trees and `a`ali`i bushes.

Like all true bugs, Koa Bugs have no chewing mouth parts. Instead, they have a little tube-like mouth part that they use to get inside the seeds of their host plants. Once inside, they suck out the insides.

Kos Bugs are also members of the "Jeweled Bug" family, Scutelleridae. Because of this they sport an enlarged, sheild-shaped thorax. However, the Koa Bugs are different from many of their cousins because they do not have the ability to secrete a stinky, defensive chemical. They are sometimes called "Stinkless Stink Bugs".

Unfortunately, the Koa Bug populations are being hurt by some introduced species. Non-native Stink Bugs made their way to the islands and started to cause damage. To get rid of those invasive bugs, a Stinkbug-eating Fly was brought in... only it can't tell the difference between the native and non-native bugs. Though you can still find Koa Bugs on most of the larger islands, the population is declining.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Hawaii
Size : Body length up to 15mm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Hemiptera
Family : Scutelleridae -- Genus : Coleotichus -- Species : C. blackburniae

Image : Libraries Impact Learning

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Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola (male)

It's been absolutely pouring all day, and all this water is making me think of Ducks. So lets learn about one today, shall we?

The Bufflehead is a Duck that is found in the lake, ponds, and oceans in and around North America. They migrate seasonally, spending winters further south and their summers breeding in more inland areas of Canada and Alaska. Sometimes they end up in far away places during these migrations-- birds have been found in Japan and in Western Europe!

(female)

Buffleheads feed on a variety of different aquatic plants and animals-- it all depends on their location. Ducks that live near lakes and ponds consume more insects, while ocean-dwelling ducks consume mollusks and crustaceans.

Buffleheads are relatively unique among Ducks in that they remain monogamous for several years. They nest in trees, utilizing old cavities that were often created by Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers. Around 10 Ducklings are born each season, and when they are only a day old they leap down on to ground from their nest-- a jump that can be several feet!

As with many Ducks, Buffleheads exhibit sexual dimorphism. Males are white with black backs. They also have very large white patches that wrap around the back of the head, which is otherwise iridescent green and purple. Females are grey-brown all over, with a small white cheek spot.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : North Africa
Size : Body length up to 16in (40cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae -- Genus : Bucephala -- Species : B. albeola

Image : Benutzer, DickDaniels

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Wood Mouse

Apodemus sylvaticus

The Wood Mouse is an incredibly common rodent in Europe. They have a range that extends across the continent, including the British Isles. The can even be found in northern Africa. It should come as no surprise that they are amazingly adaptable, and can be found in most habitats.

The most remarkable thing about the Wood Mouse is its breeding season. They are actually "in season" for 3/4 of the entire year! From February until October these mice are constantly reproducing. A female can produce seven litters of up to nine offspring each during that time. Young Mice born early in the season might start breeding themselves before it is even over!

It is a good thing that these rodents breed so quickly-- they have very short lifespans, typically no more than 2 years. They also have more predators than I can count. To keep from being some foxes snack, the Mice have tail skin that can rub off if grabbed. They also store their food (mainly seeds) and sleep in underground tunnel systems, which give them some shelter during the daytime.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Europe, North Africa
Size : Body length up to 10cm

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Muridae -- Genus : Apodemus -- Species : A. sylvaticus

Image : Sandy Rae

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Goitered Gazelle

Contrary to the name, Goitered Gazelles do not all have thyroid gland conditions. However, the males of the species do have throats that enlarge during breeding season, and their necks can resemble Goiter. They use those throat sacs to create loud courtship bellows.

You'll find these Gazelles in the Middle East and in parts of Central Asia, and there are four recognized subspecies. They live in dry plains and deserts, and are most active at dusk and dawn (the rest in the shade during the hot daytime). Luckily, they are able to get most of their water from the plants that they eat, so they do not have to worry too much about finding additional water in their dry habitat.

Goitered Gazelles are very fast, and can run as swiftly as 36mph. They are also unusual among Gazelles in that the females do not normally have horns (they do in other species). However, like many of their relatives, these antelope live in small groups that migrate seasonally.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Middle East and Central Asia
Size : Shoulder height up to 32in (80cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Gazella -- Species : G. subgutturosa

Image : kallerna

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